Diy Towbar

[simon auris 2.0]

Has anybody fitted their own towbar, as in buying all the parts and fitting yourself. I would like to go for twin electrics as well, how easy is it to access the wiring to tie in.

After seeing the mess a 'proffessionally' installed towbar left me with on my last car, I'd like to DIY as I'm no amateur but wonder if there are known problems.

Simon

[FHz]

Simon.

Toyota do a factory one, its easy to install if your confidant stripping the rear or the vehicle, IE bumper off

and the electrical side is all modular (plug in)

i can give you the part number when i go back to work if you like :)

Tim..

[simon auris 2.0]

Simon.

Toyota do a factory one, its easy to install if your confidant stripping the rear or the vehicle, IE bumper off

and the electrical side is all modular (plug in)

i can give you the part number when i go back to work if you like :)

Tim..

I didnt realise the bumper needed to come off! Still, being newish the fixings ought to be reasonably free. I replaced the floorpan on my old car and converted it to run on used cooking oil so a towbar, pah!!! Wiring on new cars does go above my comfort zone though. I'm still wavering on the cruise control retrofit.

So the Toyota one 'simply' plugs into the existing wiring. Thats a big improvement to scotch blocks or whatever they are called.

I'll take the part number off you please.

Simon

[john479]

Hello, the Witter towbar will go on without taking the bumper off, just the covers underneath, which I cut to clear the bar and refitted, as yet I still haven't wired it up, regards John

[gasmark1]

the toyota towbar is made by brink.

[Rumbly]

Don't know if you got your towbar fitted yet or not .... but anyway ....

Original Toyota accessory towbars for the Auris are made by Brink (now Thule I think) for both fixed and removable installations. There is no need to remove or cut the bumper to fit the Brink towbar. All that is required is to remove the platic undertray by prising out all the clips and the centre nut and cut it as per the towbar instructions (it is easy to cut). Also the exhaust back box has to be moved to the side to get access to tighten one securing bolt. Does not take long to fit the actual towbar, the electrics took me much longer.

I used an electrics fitting kit using a relay, can't remember who made it, but took a fair bit of time to install, mainly because I didn't know how all the trim peices come off. I mounted the relay under the left side rear carpet. The relay requires a power supply, in my case that came from a board under the nearside dash, but I believe the Toyota wiring kit goes straight to the Battery, requiring a wire to be got through the bulkhead .... make sure whichever way this is done that the power feed is fused.

Some useful links:

Brink Auris fixed towbar

Brink Auris removable towbar

Brink Auris towbar fitting instructions

Brink Auris towbar wiring instructions